$400 spinning combo for river smallies

[PaulVE64]

End of year is coming and I may buy a new Spinning setup to chase my local river smallies.

I'm primarily throwing  1/16 oz bass streamers and maribou jigs in 7 ft to 2 ft of depth with current.

Budget is $400 for rod and reel.

So far ive played with (in order of felt preferance)

1. the nrx - just too expensive to purchase within budget

2 steez - almost as snappy as the nrx but still too expensive to pair up

3 curado - felt great with a new Ultegra on it. Why does no one to about this rod?

4 daiwa Kage again with an Ultegra

5 tatula xt - I liked its price but I think I would have loved an elite which I couldnt find anywhere. Wondering if I should hold out and wait until I have tried one?

6 procyon - surprised by this rod but it paled against the Kage and Curado and the upgrade in reel wasnt worth it against the Ultegra

 

 

I did not handle any St C or Fenwicks as I have a few river rods from them now.

StC Triumph 6-6 LF 2 pc

St C Triumph 6-0 MLF

HMG 6-0 MLF

StC Avid 7-0 MF

and a few very old ugly sticks for trolling crankbaits

 

Any other suggestions I should try out for a finesse rig ??

I prefer shorter rods.

[MN Fisher]

Wait for the Black Friday sales....

 

St Croix Victory 6'10" MLXF or the 6'8" MXF

Throw a Shimano Stradic or Vanford on it and you're golden.

[roadwarrior]

Okuma Psycho Stick  7'2" MF  ($220)

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Okuma_Psycho_Stick_Spinning_Rods/descpage-OPSYS.html

 

Shimano Stradic 1000S  ($140)

https://fishing.asian-portal.shhop/category/select/cid/349/bid/49/pid/299375

 

[WRB]

5 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Wait for the Black Friday sales....

 

St Croix Victory 6'10" MLXF or the 6'8" MXF

Throw a Shimano Stradic or Vanford on it and you're golden.

The reel choice is good, the VTS610MLXF isn’t, was too whimpy tip. I know from experience in selecting that combo?

Exchanged the rod for VTS73MXS and ?.

Tom

PS, with 15% disc available your are in budget.

 

[MN Fisher]

4 minutes ago, WRB said:

Exchanged the rod for VTS73MXS and ?.

He did say he liked shorter rods - so the 6'8" MXF is more in line with that.

[LCG]

My finesse combo is a 6'8 ML-F Daiwa Rebellion with a Shimano Stradic FL 2500. No complaints and the combo is very balanced. 

[WRB]

51 minutes ago, WRB said:

The reel choice is good, the VTS610MLXF isn’t, was too whimpy tip. I know from experience in setting that combo?

Exchanged the rod for VTS73MXS and ?.

Tom

PS, with 15% disc available your are in budget.

 

So do I and the reason the VTS610MLXF was my 1st choice until using it?

Different model in ML maybe a better choice, not familiar enough with SC to offer it.

Tom

 

[Bass Rutten]

My 610ml expride with jdm stradic cost me well under $400 (with discount), great value imo.

 

edit: disregard, won’t cast 1/16 well.

[PaulVE64]

2 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

Okuma Psycho Stick  7'2" MF  ($220)

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Okuma_Psycho_Stick_Spinning_Rods/descpage-OPSYS.html

 

Shimano Stradic 1000S  ($140)

https://fishing.asian-portal.shhop/category/select/cid/349/bid/49/pid/299375

 

Psycho Stick is rated to 1/8 oz only.

Will it throw 1/16th with any distance?

[flyfisher]

I have a curado spinning rod paired with a stradic and it is pretty much the perfect combo for me.  I use it primarily for weightless soft plastics on lakes but on rivers I thrown small jigs and it performs flawlessly.  

[waymont]

7'1" ML Tatula spinning rod, and a Tatula LT in 2500 or 3000 your preference.

Well under your price range, and this combo will leave you wanting nothing.

[newapti5]

With the yen being so low, I would rather try something JDM that normally is too pricy. The new Megabass Destroyer rods are now ~$300 from Japan sites, if you can find one in stock. You'll still have budget left for a Daiwa Caldia MQ, which is a little fancier than a Tatula LT.  It has a couple of  FC (finesse custom) models that weigh ~6.5 oz.  

[Hulkster]

I would do the Ultegra 3000 spinning reel on an Avid rod, probably 7 foot ML.  

the blue on the ultrega would match perfectly with the blueish hue of the Avid blank

oh yeah

 

ok I need this combo now lol

 

[Cgolf]

My river combo ugly stick and whatever cheap spinning reel I have laying around isn't what you are looking for, but that parabolic action does keep the big smallies locked down really well.

 

If I took a more expensive rod out there, it would be my medium 6'9" dobyns sierra 693, but for you the 6''9" medium light 692 would work better. Both are very nice rods and I pair them with a black and red Shimano Sienna 2000 (great reel for the price). You could go with any reel in that size. While the rod is rated fast, Dobyns have a bit softer tip. Dobyns Sierra deals can usually be found during black Friday or even the TW 25 days sale. I paid under 100 for one and 129ish for the other.

 

Too bad St Croix doesn't sell the blemished rods online as there are some gems. I got a legend tourney inshore MH spin for 230 for heavy cover. Problem is the stock varies and so does the pricing so its not like you can go in expecting to find a medium premium rod super cheap.

[JMac603]

6'6" ML TFO Professional with a Daiwa Tatula or Ballistic MQ is my vote. Under budget, can handle being bumped around through brush, and a more moderate/fast which helps *ME* keep em pinned. Too fast and I seem to lose fish - I'm sure it's me. 

 

FOR ME the TFO Professional rods are perfect - I like the handles, the reel seats (especially the new ones), the finish, and the hook keepers. I wish they were tad lighter but at +/- $100.00 I don't know if there's a better option. 

[PaulVE64]

I havent been able to lay hands of the tatula elite. Ark Rods or the TFO Rods.

I'm really looking for a snappy tip like the NRX 

 

18 hours ago, flyfisher said:

I have a curado spinning rod paired with a stradic and it is pretty much the perfect combo for me.  I use it primarily for weightless soft plastics on lakes but on rivers I thrown small jigs and it performs flawlessly.  

I was playing with the Curado CDS70LA and it felt the best at my budget.

[PaulVE64]

1 hour ago, Hulkster said:

I would do the Ultegra 3000 spinning reel on an Avid rod, probably 7 foot ML.  

the blue on the ultrega would match perfectly with the blueish hue of the Avid blank

oh yeah

 

ok I need this combo now 

 

Buddy told me the gearing is the same on the 2500 and 3000. Just the spool changed. That might make the 2500 better.

 

1 hour ago, JMac603 said:

6'6" ML TFO Professional with a Daiwa Tatula or Ballistic MQ is my vote. Under budget, can handle being bumped around through brush, and a more moderate/fast which helps *ME* keep em pinned. Too fast and I seem to lose fish - I'm sure it's me. 

 

FOR ME the TFO Professional rods are perfect - I like the handles, the reel seats (especially the new ones), the finish, and the hook keepers. I wish they were tad lighter but at +/- $100.00 I don't know if there's a better option. 

I appreciate a rod that can take abuse. I snap tips way too often.

[flyfisher]

26 minutes ago, PaulVE64 said:

I havent been able to lay hands of the tatula elite. Ark Rods or the TFO Rods.

I'm really looking for a snappy tip like the NRX 

 

I was playing with the Curado CDS70LA and it felt the best at my budget.

Mine is a couple years old but i will check which model when I get home.  I have been very pleased with it and wouldn't hesitate to get another one.

[WRB]

If you have specific rod requirements I suggest contacting Alex at ALX rods. Alex has 2 Zolo spinning rods that fit your needs, the Maestro is my suggestion.

Tom

[Hulkster]

Quote

Buddy told me the gearing is the same on the 2500 and 3000. Just the spool changed. That might make the 2500 better.

I'm sure they are the same reel except for the spool diameter.

 

but I always lean towards the 3000 shimanos because I like the T handle better. the 2500 and 1000 sizes have a dinky little nub for a handle knob. the T is way better IMO. 

[PaulVE64]

2 hours ago, Hulkster said:

I'm sure they are the same reel except for the spool diameter.

 

but I always lean towards the 3000 shimanos because I like the T handle better. the 2500 and 1000 sizes have a dinky little nub for a handle knob. the T is way better IMO. 

Important differance - thanks

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Whatever you do NOT go with the 6'10 Victory if you want to throw light baits.  SC decided to put glass in the tip which isn't a problem for me action wise, but it kills nearly all tip sensitivity with light baits.  A 100$ blows the 6'10 Victory away sensitivity wise with light baits.  You can hardly feel a 1/8 tungsten dragging on a hard bottom.  I think SC rushed them through development.  I've relegated mine to JBs, shad raps and tail spins.  

The rod I recommend is the Tatula 7'1 ML F.  Its so close to being the perfect ML rod.  If I could change 1 thing without disrupting its excellent balance would be to shorten the rear grip by 1" or so.  Other then that its outstanding.

 

[Darth-Baiter]

On 11/9/2022 at 9:41 AM, newapti5 said:

With the yen being so low, I would rather try something JDM that normally is too pricy. The new Megabass Destroyer rods are now ~$300 from Japan sites, if you can find one in stock. You'll still have budget left for a Daiwa Caldia MQ, which is a little fancier than a Tatula LT.  It has a couple of  FC (finesse custom) models that weigh ~6.5 oz.  

do they hammer you with shipping?

[WRB]

2 hours ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

Whatever you do NOT go with the 6'10 Victory if you want to throw light baits.  SC decided to put glass in the tip which isn't a problem for me action wise, but it kills nearly all tip sensitivity with light baits.  A 100$ blows the 6'10 Victory away sensitivity wise with light baits.  You can hardly feel a 1/8 tungsten dragging on a hard bottom.  I think SC rushed them through development.  I've relegated mine to JBs, shad raps and tail spins.  

The rod I recommend is the Tatula 7'1 ML F.  Its so close to being the perfect ML rod.  If I could change 1 thing without disrupting its excellent balance would be to shorten the rear grip by 1" or so.  Other then that its outstanding.

 

$35 to exchange the SC Rod for different model, that is what I did.

I was taken in by the light weight of the Victory rods...mistake should of call Alex at ALX?

Tom

[Spankey]

Nice big budget you have for the combo. A lot of options. 
 

But call me crazy, call me stupid but, a St. Croix Premiere Series or SC Bass X will get it done for finessing soft plastics for river Smallies. I’m a fan of the Avid Series of rods. But still fish my Premiers often. 
 

I guess as I get older I’m realizing that something’s are overkill. I’m referring to my stuff I’ve purchased. I’ve been fishing some of my older stuff more. I’m not telling you to go big. Be happy. I’m just fishing with some of my older stuff. 
 

I retired some months back. A couple of work buddies got me a SC Victory (spinning rod) as a fair well present. Took a bit of use but has grown on me to the point it is one of my favorite rods. I may look into a ML version. But I’m gonna bring along one of my Avids to compare it.